This week’s movie is The 400 Blows (1959).
The drama is about Antoine, a
young boy who is misunderstood and without true caring parents. He quits school
and runs away from home in an attempt to live his own life, turning to petty
crime to make money. As one of the best examples of the French New Wave, it is
written and directed by Francois
Truffaut (I also highly recommend Jules and Jim and Day for Night). Truffaut takes
his camera to the streets, so to speak, shooting on location in Paris giving
the film a vibrant realistic feel. He worked with composer Jean Constantin and
cinematographer Henri Decae
on the film, and Jean-Pierre
Leaud stars. While The 400 Blows might not seem like something worth seeing
for general movie fans, it being black and white, subtitled and somewhat arty. It
is one of the films that has greatly influenced many of your (and mine)
favorite current filmmakers (like Wes
Anderson). It is also a timeless story of a boy trying to find his place in
the world, something we can all connect with. This is a must-see for fans of
the French New Wave and those looking to have a strong working knowledge of the
best films in cinema history. Check out the trailer.
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